Senior Finance and Budget Assistant (2 positions), New York City

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) is responsible for policy leadership in all management areas through the provision of a clear, integrated global management strategy and policy framework and through strengthened monitoring, evaluation and accountability mechanisms. The Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB) secures the financing of the Organization’s expenses and ensures sound, effective and efficient integrated financial management of and reporting on United Nations resources, supported by a strong internal control environment. The Financial Reporting and Analytics Service is mainly responsible for the preparation of IPSAS-compliant financial statements for all funding sources and ensures the sustainability of IPSAS-compliant accounting and reporting. The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant usually reports to the Head of the Unit or to a Senior Finance and Budget Officer/Section Chief. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: Budget: • Acts as Certifying Officers on behalf of and in the absence of programme managers at offices outside headquarters. • Undertakes reviews, analyses and preparation of the programme plan and its revisions. • Reviews, analyses and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; ensures compliance with the programme plan and other legislative mandates. • Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. • Provides input into the preparation of allotments/appropriations, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary. • Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds. • Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions. • Assists in finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Monitors integrity of various financial databases. • Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments/appropriations to new allotments/appropriations issued. • Coordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports. Finance: • Analyses complex and/or unusual accounting transactions and difficult claims. Makes recommendations to Chief of Unit/Section on appropriate follow-up procedures. • Reviews, records and reconciles investments (includes equities, treasuries, bonds, money market investments, ETFs, time deposits, and call accounts for cash pooling), cash, revenue and cash pool share balances using Umoja, the external manager system and the custodian’s record keeping system. Investigates erroneous/invalid entries and takes appropriate corrective accounting action. • Audits various accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, education grants, final payments, income tax returns, travel claims, etc., to ensure correctness of disbursement computations and adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations, ST/AI issuances or practices. Assist the Chief of Unit in the year-end closing process of accounts including performing complex calculations to allocate income and expenses in the cash pool. • Reviews completeness of reports and consolidates the accounts of externally managed investment portfolio on a periodic basis. • Prepares worksheets and analyses accounts. Assists in the preparation of financial statements for various funds, e.g., general, peacekeeping, technical co-operation, trust fund, revenue and other special accounts. • Provides guidance and training (including the preparation of training materials) to staff at Headquarters and in the field with respect to transaction processing and the use of various systems • Supervises other general service staff when required. • Drafts/prepares memoranda and responds to queries by staff members, internal and external auditors and from their counterparts in offices away from Headquarters. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. General: • Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme and/or peacekeeping budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. • Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters. • Provides guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility. • Keeps up to date on current financial regulations/professional publications and accepted principles; • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as portals, web pages or brochures. • Performs other related duties, as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to eight years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience using Microsoft Excel, including formulas, is required. Experience in overseeing the full spectrum of financial and budget operations for large entities in headquarters or field environments is required. Experience with ERP systems is required. Experience working with auditors is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).